Skip to main content
Normal View

Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020

Wednesday, 13 May 2020

Questions (739, 740)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

739. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if staff of home care providers will be issued with personal protective equipment to deal with possible cases of Covid-19. [5051/20]

View answer

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

740. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the precautions a home care provider should take if a patient is suspected of Covid-19; and the precautions home support workers should take. [5052/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 739 and 740 together.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is valuable as an additional protection for patients and staff. It should only be used where it is likely to be beneficial as outlined in the HSE’s guidance on PPE. This guidance is continuously monitored and may change as the coronavirus outbreak evolves.

The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has recommended that enhanced public health measures should be introduced to support the home support sector. These include measures to ensure PPE supply to home support providers and supporting access to the provision of training for staff in infection prevention and control. Homecare providers who have contracts with the HSE are able to apply for a supply and replenishment of PPE through their local Community Healthcare Organisation.

Appropriate evidence-based guidance to support the work of health and social care providers on a range of issues, including infection prevention and control, has been developed by both the HSE and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) and is updated regularly as appropriate and made available on their websites. The HPSC published updated guidance on the use of surgical face masks on 22 April and is now advising that surgical masks should be worn by healthcare workers, including home support workers. Updated guidance for health and social care workers who visit homes was published on the HPSC website on 24 April.

Homecare workers who are able to provide planned home care for people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 can play a critical role in helping to manage the COVID-19 emergency. Homecare workers undertaking this role will require some additional training to manage the associated risks. The most critical element of managing this risk is to review key skills (especially hand hygiene) but there will also be a requirement for appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

The HPSC has advised home care providers that their healthcare workers should be told that if they are unwell and have symptoms of Covid-19 such as a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath, or if they are a contact of someone with Covid-19, they must call their manager before going to work. If a staff member develops symptoms while at work, they must report immediately to their line manager and not continue to see other clients. If a healthcare worker is concerned that they may have COVID-19 they should stay at home and self-isolate and contact their doctor or occupational health service by telephone.

Top
Share